According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks worked out former MVP candidate and two-time NBA All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas.
Bucks work out two-time NBA All-Star guard in Las Vegas: pic.twitter.com/8xCTrhPMr0
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2024
After no time signed him during the entire 2022-23 season, Thomas joined the Phoenix Suns during the 2023-24 season. With the Suns, Thomas played in six games, averaging 3.2 minutes per game. During his recent stint with Phoneix, the 35-year-old averaged 1.3 points per game while shooting 30% from the field.
Recently, Thomas revealed he wants “to play a year or two more” in his career.
“I’m a free agent right now. (I’m) talking to a few teams trying to see what the best opportunity is down the line,” Thomas told ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth. “I want to play a year or two more. Just staying on the slow grind. Staying patiently ready. Knowing that I can impact an organisation whether I play or not, and be super impactful each and every day. So I’m just waiting for the call.”
In addition to Thomas, several other players worked out for Milwaukee. This includes Justise Winslow, Hamidou Diallo, Will Barton, and Jaylen Nowell
News of Thomas’ workout comes just a day after Bucks free agent Patrick Beverley joined Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel.
Currently, it remains unknown if Thomas will officially join Milwaukee’s roster for next season.
Milwaukee Bucks Worked Out Former MVP Candidate
Isaiah Thomas Has Been Open About Wanting to Return to a Specific Team
Since joining the NBA in 2011, Thomas has had stints with 10 different teams. However, there is one particular stint that stands out. From 2015 to 2017, Thomas played 179 games for the Boston Celtics. During this time, the Washington native took the NBA by storm. In two-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics, Thomas became a two-time All-Star, an All-NBA Second Team selection, and finished top-five in MVP voting for the 2016-17 season. With Boston, Thomas averaged 24.7 points and 6 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Very quickly, Thomas became a fan favorite in Boston. However, the Celtics traded him during the 2017 offseason in a blockbuster deal to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thomas has yet to return to MVP-caliber status.
Regardless of the trade, Thomas has publicly expressed his love for Boston and his desire to return to the team one day. In 2022, the guard spoke about trying to come back to Boston.
“It’s hard to speak on because I’ve opened my arms to try to come back in so many ways. It’s not even about playing and trying to pick up where I left off. I’m past that moment, but I know there’s been times where I can help in that locker room. I’m not in there every day, so I can’t speak on what’s going on. This is from the outside looking in, but I’ve felt there’s been times where Brad (Stevens) could make a call and give me an opportunity, and it hasn’t happened.”
Even if he does not sign with the Bucks, it seems unlikely Thomas will ever get his wish to return to the Celtics organization.
The Last Word on Isaiah Thomas
Thomas still has a little bit left in the tank. He can still provide an offensive boost off the bench and has playoff experience. Additionally, his veteran presence could be important for a contending team like the Bucks. Even if Milwaukee does not sign Thomas, it is noteworthy that they at least worked him out. It will be interesting to see where the former Celtics star takes his talents for next season.
